It is a fun and profound experience to be around toddlers, as their shameless thoughts and altruistic ideas reveal a lot to us about ourselves, but it always happens when we can’t keep up with their unblinking enthusiasm and energy.

According to researchers, kids love to learn and experience without bounds, since they are attracted to colors, activity and interactive items and fun things. This inquisitive and hyperactive nature is part of their natural learning process. With that being said, have you ever realized that your iPhone, iPad, laptop, android or any other app-running device could effectively take your place as a parent while you do things that need to be done?

These devices are easy to control for the toddlers, and the games, which can be quite educational can go on forever, giving you the time you need. With that being said, here are 5 apps to keep toddlers completely entertained for the time being…

Tozzle

This game comes with high approval ratings from many kids because of the colorful and interactive design, but also because puzzle games are quite popular with kids. Based on the concept of traditional puzzles, Tozzle lets players move different shapes into appropriate holes to create an image, becoming increasingly difficult as the level progresses. The fact that the Tozzle ‘pieces’ are objects and animals, gets the kids familiars with these items. This app which works on iPhone and iPod touch will keep your child busy for many minutes in a pensive Tozzle.

FirstWord Games

I like this particular game for its simplicity. Basically, how this game works is this – An image is displayed and players are invited to spell the name of the object shown in boxes provided, by dragging letters. Many parents excitedly speak of their kid’s mastery of this game. Besides being a very fun and effective way to teach kids to spell, it guides them to do so with images and provided boxes ( number of letters). Firstword Games which have been around for a while come in vehicles, animals and other editions and run on iPad and iPhone.

MatchAnimals

There are plenty of games in the market that seem to follow this design. The game works by playing sounds of selected animals and players are supposed to match the sound to the correct animal and win. What a way to teach about animals, huh? The app reads out the name of an animal correctly matched as well. I recommend this game because living in large cities means most kids may not be able to see most of these animals, but with this app. they will get to know them rather well.

Doodle Buddy

Now the old classic – Doodling. This app provides kids with lots of colorful patterns, backgrounds, stencils and stamps that make funny noises when applied. Sure to keep your toddler super busy for long hours, this simple game may just be honing the world’s next Pablo Picasso or Michael Angelo. So let them doodle on, besides no paper and crayon is being put to waste!

Toy Story Read Along

Deservedly so, this app is a must-have for all parents, along with whatever app you may already have in your child’s entertainment-arsenal. It does the duty of reading bed time and other children stories on our behalf. The voice and accent ( American) is not too bad. This app serves a very important duty that most parents appreciate, which is reading. To help save your voice and entertain your child in a fun way, this is a must download.

Many parents feel guilty letting their kids play with these devices for long hours whilst they handle other pressing tasks. Well, I used to be like one of those kids, and I can assure you these games are not just games, but they are highly educational interactive tools that stimulate the mental faculties of these young ones and guide their learning abilities. Do not stop kids from playing games, bur rather select games you feel comfortable with them playing. These 5 apps are a great place to start to help your children learn for the future!

Editor’s Note

Thanks to Hannah M for this guest post. She writes for the website, How Much Is It — a website filled with more than 2,000 cost helping guides. You can email her here.